Judge — May 17, 1919 — page 19: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

This page from *Judge* collects political cartoons from European publications satirizing post-World War I diplomacy, likely circa 1919-1920 during League of Nations negotiations. The cartoons mock: **"The Neutrals Introduced to the League"**: Depicts neutral countries (like the Netherlands/Amsterdam reference) awkwardly joining the new international body—portrayed as slow, reluctant participants. **"The Vicious Circle"**: Shows the economic collapse of post-war Europe—closed shops, food shortages, coal scarcity, railroad dysfunction—satirizing how peace negotiations failed to resolve actual human suffering. **"At the Conference"**: References "Russian blood" and food shortages, suggesting frustration that diplomatic talks ignore practical needs. The characters appear to be politicians debating while people starve. Overall, these cartoons express cynicism that international peace-building talks were disconnected from European citizens' real problems: hunger, economic devastation, and industrial collapse following the war.